Nader Urges Kerry To Pick Edwards

[rumguy]

"In an unusual move, Independent Ralph Nader on Wednesday urged Kerry to choose Sen. John Edwards, saying in a campaign press release that Edwards 'has already gone through a primary campaign' and that his 'rhythm and oratory' are 'well honed.'

Nader praised Edwards, a former trial lawyer, for defending the right of Americans to sue corporations that harm them.

'Senator Edwards can stand up for the millions of Americans who suffer these harms and costs every year,' Nader said."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/22/politics/main625452.shtml

[wryter2000]

1. Like we give a fig for your opinions, Ralph

Worry about your own "campaign," idiot.

P.S. I think Edwards would be wonderful. This is not meant to disparage him.

[thirstygeorgian]

49. You mean Ross Nader?

He could mean the difference.

[Voltaire99]

51. LOL! Some people never learn...

Perhaps you haven't noticed, but the nation isn't exactly set on fire by Bush-lite. With the latest Zogby numbers, Bush is once again leading comfortably by around 50 electoral college votes.

Nader's right about many things, particularly the corporatists now running the Democratic Party. He's properly using his insurgent status to kick them--and their anointed candidate--in the ass, the better to help shift the party back to representing people rather than big business.

And he's perfectly right to tell Kerry to pick a progressive. This, of course, is the point of running: to push the lackluster center to the left. As evidenced by Kerry's spineless votes for Bush policies and his desire to slash corporate taxes and send more troops to Iraq, the man is hard to trust. He isn't going to evolve on his own. He needs pressure, both from prospective voters and prospective challengers, if he is going to adopt better positions.

Democrats would like to believe that the left will follow it anywhere--even all the way over to the right. And why? Because, many decades ago, it represented people's interests? Nope; sorry; I love history, but the New Deal's dead. Frankly, having seen your DLC candidates in action since the 1980s, having watched Clinton dismantle welfare and preside merrily over widening income disparity, and having recently watched how Dems handed Bush nearly his full agenda, we aren't exactly confident that you can do better. Show us you can: nominating Edwards would be a start. Nominate some right winger like Lieberman again, and you'll have only yourselves to blame.

[worksux]

53. gulp, I agree

light a fire under our tye dyed shirt and Birkenstock wearing asses! WE might join hands around a tree, but money motivates Dems and Repugs alike.
I hope I don't sound too negative, but I live in the snake pit Dallas (North Dallas) TX. I guess I just see it all over here-time to visit San Fransisco again.
Kathryn

[Q3JR4]

2. ....

Is this another one of those "If you pick this guy I won't run" things?

Just wondering....

[liberalnurse]

6. I'm open to giving Nader a

"way out" to save face........ Let's just let him gain some sanity and help America get rid of *bush.

[lancdem]

7. That's exactly what I was thinking

If he's intent on running, why would he care whom Kerry picks? I don't recall him recommending anyone to Gore in 2000.

[trogdor]

45. That's what I would have asked.

Otherwise, why should Kerry listen to a think Ralphie has to say?

[mac56]

3. Either Ralph has snapped his twig, or -

he's got some kind of angle.

I'm sorry. I just don't trust the man.

[DeaconBlues]

55. I'm with you

What if Nader is trying somehow to sabotage an Edward's selection. If Edward is picked, the media whores can then say, "Look, he's so left that even Nader endorsed him!" This seems too fishy.

[MaineDem]

4. Nader should mind his own business!

Thank you very much.

[aquart]

5. No words.

At least, none that wouldn't constitute a threat of bodily harm.

[rumguy]

8. Hey everyone - Nadar is genuine in his advice here

He's said positive things about Edwards in the past. They've worked on tort reform issues together. They both understand the importance of consumer's rights.

Let's lay off all the vitrolic Nadar bashing....

[qazplm]

9. sorry but

in my book, Nader deserves daily vitriolic bashing til he gets his super-inflated ego out of the race.

[joeybee12]

12. Yeah, let's bash the twit again and again!

I may have to rethink my decision that Edwards would be Kerry's best choice!

[mac56]

10. It's not "vitriolic Nader bashing"

to point out when something smells fishy.

Wouldn't you think it odd if Wal-Mart suddenly started making recommendations to CostCo?

[joeybee12]

13. Or gave a woman a raise???????

[Q3JR4]

15. Rum...

I would rather vote for someone to the left of Kerry (and in Idaho I can...very Republican state anyway), but I still wonder about where he's coming from. It kind of makes me wonder.

[trogdor]

48. So?

I'm in New York State. Kerry will take NY by fifteen points. That doesn't mean a New Yorker who talks to someone in PA about what a wonderful guy Nader is isn't undermining the main goal - to send Bush back to Texas.

I don't want to hear it. If you want to work for Nader, go use someone else's bandwidth. We at DU have but one goal - to defeat Bush and the Republicans. Period.

[Auntie Bush]

24. What's more important? Someone who

can help a few people win law suits against corporations or someone who can help us get out of Iraq and fight the war on terrorism. Very few people would prefer the former. Which do you think is more important?

Why should Kerry have to do what Nadar wants? It wasn't even proper to ask such a question. Suppose Kerry planned on picking Edwards and then he does...looks like Kerry is doing what Nader wants rather than what he wants. Makes him appear weak...not a leader...but a follower. You can bet Rove will point out that fact loud and clear.

[gasperc]

11. oh great now Kerry can't pick Edwards

reverse, reverse, reverse physcology

Nader should shut the fuck up, we know you think us Democrats have been a weak kneed sorry excuse for an opposition that sucks just as much if not more corporate dick as the GOP. BUT, as I and most here on DU and millions of other democrats are trying to do is get more active in the party, demand accountability from our reps and change the party from within. Instead of your approach which is to destroy the dems and hope that a new better progressive party will miraculously sprout up in the next election cycle. This isn't 1856, we aren't the whigs and mass media won't be on our side.

Stay the fuck out of Kerry's VP pick, you're trying to sink his election anyway

what an asshole

[Ganja Ninja]

14. LBN: Edwards urges Nader to vote Kerry and give it up but...

not necessarily in that order.

[BurtWorm]

16. WTF?!

Is there anymore anyone can say about this than :wtf:

[BootinUp]

17. Call me a foil hatter but

Would he prefer Edwards on the ticket with Kerry so he can get more of the anti-war voters? Don't hurt me, honest question.

[Doosh]

36. There are no anti war VP candidates

[sadiesworld]

38. Clark testified before congress that the Iraq War was not necessary.

[dolstein]

18. Nader Urges Kerry to Try New Conditioner, Wear Khakis

Seriously, before long he'll be offering Kerry fashion tips.

It's bad enough that Nader wants to repeat his performance from 2000, siphonining enough votes away from Kerry to tip the election to Bush. Now, apparently, he feels free to offer Kerry advice on who to choose for VP.

[JI7]

44. i think Kerry told him who he was likely to pick for vp

a while ago he said kerry should pick gephardt or edwards. if the news is true than gephardt edwards and vilsack are the only ones who have been fully vetted. which means one of them is likely to be picked. recent news is mostly about edwards so if kerry picks edwards nader will try to make it as if he had something to do with it and how powerful he is. but in reality kerry had already made the pic.

[chimpy the poopthrower]

47. That's sort of what I think.

Except I don't think Kerry told Nader anything. I think Edwards is just the strongest looking candidate right now (and has been all along) to even casual followers of politics. Nader is probably expecting and hoping that Kerry will pick Edwards so that Nader will look like he had something to do with it.

[pathansen]

19. Maybe Kerry should agree with this because . . .

Now, I am not at all a Nader supporter because I feel (like many people) that if it wasn't for Nader attacking Gore, Bush would not be in the White House.
HOWEVER,I agree that Edwards might be a good choice (he's obviously a very convincing debater/speaker, winning so many lawsuits for victims and has some proven electability).
And why would Nader even bother to suggest this unless he was considering the possibility of endorsing a Kerry/Edwards ticket?
So, if this is what it would take to get Nader to possibly drop out of another close race at the last minute, this might be what we would be forced to do just to MAKE SURE Bush does not get re-elected.

[mac56]

20. Welcome, graphannette

I understand your suggestion (also posted elswhere on this thread) that Nader is looking for a face-saving way to drop out of the race. And maybe naming Edwards will give him that.

And I'd love to see him wise up and drop out. But why should he need to play these petulant games in order to do so? He's a grownup, for crying out loud.

Again, welcome.

[pathansen]

54. Yes, I agree

I don't really want to give Nader any credit for anything.
If Kerry decides on his own to pick Edwards, now,
Nader might take credit for this.

[wjsander]

21. John Edwards should now find Nader and kick his ass...

... for trying to "Al Gore" him.

[Jaybird]

22. that does it for me....

now i really don't want Edwards on the ticket........i hope it is Wes

[mcar]

23. I think Ralph is just trying to stay in the news

What's he doing giving advice to other candidates?

[chimpy the poopthrower]

25. Nader has some hell of a nerve

Here's one possibility: Edwards is already the "frontrunner" in the VP guessing game right now. I mean he's on the short, short list, and the media reported he had a private meeting with Kerry the other day. Is Nader doing this so that if Kerry does choose Edwards (a relatively safe bet), Nader can seem as if he himself had somethng to do with it - to make it seem as if he still has some influence in progressive politics (which he does not)?

Is he, as someone suggested, giving himself a way to exit the race with some dignity? Make it seem as if he is leaving in part because Kerry made this "concession" to him? It would be hard to campaign against Kerry/Edwards after essentially endorsing Edwards. I might actually gain a tiny bit of respect for Nader if he's doing this so that he can drop out - even though I'm sure it would be mostly due to him not wanting to hurt his own ambitions any more. He knows he can't win, and if he hurts Kerry this time, the resentment toward him will keep growing. He's already no longer with the Greens.

Nader does have some angle here. Not sure what it is, but I'll bet it becomes clearer in time.

[BiggJawn]

31. I can see the Chimp's ad now...

"Ah'm Dub Bush an' Ah cain't ra-eed a bi-sickle..."

"So, now John Kerry is letting his political opponents PICK HIS RUNNING MATES! Wonder who ELSE he'll take advice from? (key in pix of Jacques Chirac) John Kerry, Soft on Defense, Soft in the Head..."

Could somebody get Mr. Nader a nice cuppa STFU and some Thorazine?

[UnapologeticLiberal]

26. I want Kerry to pick Edwards

But I find it strange that one of his opponents is telling him who to pick. Nader has not said he will drop out if Kerry picks Edwards, has he? If not, I bet he is hoping Kerry picks Edwards because Edwards is more moderate and will make it somewhat easier for Nader to draw votes from Kerry on the left. Just my theory.

[MoonRiver]

27. Meaning Kerry should pick Clark if he wants to win.

Snake in the grass Ralph speaks with forked tongue. Take it to the bank. :puke:

[Brahma Bull]

28. Silly Nader...go back to your home and think about...

answers to questions that may be asked at the presidential debates that you won't be invited to.

[Cocoa]

29. that's weird

don't Nader's supporters think it's weird for Nader to be giving Kerry advice on his running mate?

It's weird to me. :crazy:

[senseandsensibility]

30. I am done

taking anything this guy says seriously. I would love to think that he's trying to get out of the race gracefully. Really, I would LOVE it. But NOTHING he has done in the past leads me to think he would think of his country first and do the right thing.

[struggle4progress]

32. I agree with RN on this one. JE ran a great primary campaign ...

... and would add to the ticket. :)

But of course I'm also one of those suspect folks who would rather bash Bush than bash Nader.

And I think that Bro Jeb's massive election fraud in Florida, as ratified by SCOTUS, is the real reason for our 2000 loss. :grr:

[mzmolly]

33. Sure Ralph, but you drop out first mmmk? I love Edwards, but who does

Mr. Nader think he is? He talks out of both sides of his rear end. I can't believe *idealists* think this guy is worth supporting AGAIN.

Isn't Naders schtic *anti-war* . Isn't that the group of disenfranchised voters he hopes to appeal to? If so, that might explain his fervor for two pro-war candidates running against him?

Well Ralph, I urge the Greens to NOMINATE DAVID COBB!

[gatlingforme]

34. Why would he care?? Nader's whole issue is giving people

a "third party" option. What is he suggesting this for?? RN is hoaky --- He's running against Kerry and then suggests to Kerry who he should pick for VP???? what a joke.

[Piperay]

35. Huh

:wtf: is he fucking nuts, I think he is cracked.

[Gothmog]

37. Way for Nader to bow out???

Nader has had trouble getting on ballots in several states. The Congressional Black Caucus leaned on Nader heavily to drop out earlier this week. Is this a way for Nader to save some face (assuming that Senator Kerry selects John Edwards as his running mate)??

I like John Edwards but could be happy with Wes Clark. Nader's opinion has no effect on me.

[sadiesworld]

39. Why not? Nader wants four more years of *.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

40. Will Nader step down if Edwards is in?

If I was Kerry, I'd consider this compromise. Edwards is a good guy...certainly a better choice than Gephardt.

[ynot]

41. No-Nader

Nader should simply withdraw altogether. His advice is not welcomed. This is like accepting an apology from your assailant. The verbiage does not render the conduct harmless.

[PurityOfEssence]

42. Just goes to show that sometimes the insane are correct

If you tried to pitch Nader's shenanigans as a script, even the Sci-Fi channel would pass.

[NoBushLite]

43. KERRY TRIES TO THROW NADER OUT OF THE RACE!!!

From today's "Hotline" (an inside-the-beltway power rag)

ARIZONA (10 EVs): Not A Good Day For Nader

A group of AZ Dems, with support from the AZ Dem Party, "says it will mount a legal challenge today" to Ralph Nader's WH '04 bid. The Dems "will try to have Nader disqualified" from AZ's 11/04 ballot. The deadline "to file challenges of candidates' petitions is 5 p.m. today."

Dem attys "have reviewed petitions submitted in support of Nader's bid, and found a 'pretty good' case against Nader's bid," AZ Dem chair Jim Pederson said 6/22. Pederson "said issues for the challenge will include whether people who signed the petitions were registered to vote, as well as whether circulators who gathered the 21,185 names were legally entitled to collect signatures" in AZ.

Dems "have a substantial burden and will have to show a judge that one out of every three names collected is ineligible: Nader needs to have only 14,694 signatures declared valid to be on the ballot here."

The Dems' move "drew derision" from Nader. Said Nader: "It's the beginning of a campaign by Democrats who don't believe in robust, competitive campaigns. ... They want to block our free speech, free assembly, free petitions rights" (Fischer, Capitol Media Services, 6/23).

An AZ Dem source tells us that they believe they've already found problems with more than half of the 21K+ signatures Nader turned in, which if true, would leave Nader short of the necessary signatures to get on the ballot (Hotline reporting, 6/23).

DNC spokesperson Jano Cabrera "stressed that the state party had not requested DNC resources and that any decision to challenge Nader's ballot access rests with state officials." But he said the nat'l party "stands behind the effort in principle." Cabrera: "We support our state party's aim to validate the petition signatures in accordance with the state election law" (Hananel, AP, 6/22).

Also of note: Another AZ Dem source notes the "spotlight" will be on AZ Sec/State and "Bush/Cheney surrogate" Jan Brewer "to see if she follows the applicable statutes or aids the GOP exploitation of Ralph Nader to split the Dem vote" (e-mail, 6/23).

[chimpy the poopthrower]

46. So many things wrong here.

1. You did not provide a link
2. That really doesn't relate to the topic of this thread.
3. Whether that is the actual headline or your own invention, it is quite misleading. How about "Dems mount legal challenge to Nader's AZ bid" or "Dems believe problems with Nader's petition sigs"?

Why does Nader always, always have to play the victim card? Should he get special treatment just because he's not a frontrunner? If he can't stand the heat, he should stay out of the kitchen. Otherwise, he should start discussing the merits of this legal action instead of acting like such a crybaby.

[jpgray]

52. Hand your opponent the legal ability to deny you a spot on the ballot

And you deserve it--this isn't teeball here, after all. Anyway if you do a search, you will find a very similar article--these decisions do NOT originate from Kerry based on the article, and therefore your subject is very misleading.

[burrowowl]

50. How many posting here

thought McCain should run with Kerry?
Maybe Nader is looking for a gracefull way out.

[DemonFighterLives]

56. If only

I thought the same thing in passing, but with Nader's track record, he'll probably drag the dem through the mud all the way.